We have had gorgeous weather for a week and a half. This has fooled the plantlife into awakening a week earlier than normal. I read in the paper Friday that the magnolias were peaking this weekend, so I dragged serge over to the botanical gardens to check them out.
Here's a close-up of one of the flowers. The magnolia trees at the gardens are mostly white, but there are some pinks too. It was great walking around as everything is in a state of awakening, little buds coming out of branches, tulips poking through the earth (they'll start blooming this week) and billions of tiny leaves that seem to tint the air green.
Here was something purple that we were drawn to.
We wandered around into the chinese pavilion and there was the strangest cacophany of sound. The best way I could describe the sound is like when we were kids and we'd play cowboys and indians and the indians would make a falsetto sound while patting the mouth with the open palm of the hand. We couldn't figure out what it was. Was it a bird or birds? No. Turns out all the frogs were crying out for mating. I caught these guys in the act swimming through the water. It made me wonder if they were like dogs, the swollen penis stuck inside the female causing them to stay coupled for awhile.
We have had gorgeous weather for a week and a half. This has fooled the plantlife into awakening a week earlier than normal. I read in the paper Friday that the magnolias were peaking this weekend, so I dragged serge over to the botanical gardens to check them out.
Here's a close-up of one of the flowers. The magnolia trees at the gardens are mostly white, but there are some pinks too. It was great walking around as everything is in a state of awakening, little buds coming out of branches, tulips poking through the earth (they'll start blooming this week) and billions of tiny leaves that seem to tint the air green.
Here was something purple that we were drawn to. 
We wandered around into the chinese pavilion and there was the strangest cacophany of sound. The best way I could describe the sound is like when we were kids and we'd play cowboys and indians and the indians would make a falsetto sound while patting the mouth with the open palm of the hand. We couldn't figure out what it was. Was it a bird or birds? No. Turns out all the frogs were crying out for mating. I caught these guys in the act swimming through the water. It made me wonder if they were like dogs, the swollen penis stuck inside the female causing them to stay coupled for awhile.
22 comments:
Guy frogs? Gay frogs?
The flowers are beautiful. I sit and stare at my magnolias and breathe in the sweet air, because it's such a short blossoming period and I know they'll be gone soon.
But frog parts? Ew. It's a tad (ha!) gross to be pondering those.
The tulips are about done here for the year but it is nice to see spring all over again from your eyes. The white magnolias are Star Magnolias and the pink ones are probably Saucer Magnolias. The frogs look like leopard frogs. Since they only have sex one time a year they try to do it as much and as long as possible. (wouldn't you?) Ed
Those star magnolias are really something, aren't they? Great photos. Nice picture of you two, too.
: )
F*cking frogs...
Greetings from Florida! (I'm here for a week.)
Our lone dogwood is in full bloom, and it's beautiful. Unfortunately, the neighbor's lawn, comprised mostly of dandelions, is also is full bloom. That carpet of yellow blossoms is going to turn to seed and our annual struggle to control them begins.
You and Serge are such a cute couple! Much cuter than the frog couple(d).
Fucking Frogs?! You've hit a new high with the blog! I bow to you! :)
-Rox
I'm glad you've had a respite from winter. Hopefully it's a lasting one, not just a blip before another snowstorm.
my first thought too was "Guy frogs?" I didn't know there were gay frogs (but of course, 10% of any species is what I've heard...)
I bet people are walking around being friendly and smiley and all refreshed and renewed. Right?
lol - I remember playing cowboys and indians just like you describe.
Im drawn to purple things too. Nice photos!
HUGS....
Swollen penis stuck inside the guurrrrlllll???????? Eeeewww. I've had a purple thing once or twice myself. Medication took care of it.
I think it would be a bad evolutionary plan for frogs to be stuck together like that, being that they'd be rather vulnerable to predators. Dogs probably have less concerns in that department. My guess is that they were still "courting." And those are boy and girl frogs (I know you know that. This is for the readers who were taking your vernacular to heart.), since the female is always larger than the male.
They are saying we might get snow by Tuesday. I hope that they are wrong.
Greg: (FF) Well done!!
It looked, from your pictures, that you had a beautiful day. You both make an handsome couple!
As far as I remember from biology class (much longer ago than I care to mention), the male frog squeezes the female's abdomen to eject the eggs, which are then fertilised in the water; I guess the frog penis is nothing to write home about...
Nature is a marvelous thing and so many people don't take the time to see it, feel it or hear it. I'm glad you both were able to take some time to enjoy.
You've made a new fan!!
I've caught up on most of your archives and loved every bit.
I used to live in Montreal, just moved back to New Zealand a year ago, so I love hearing your take on things. It's odd, but I've found baggies of coke on the streets of Montreal before, too... Wonder if it was the same luckless dealer ;)
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The magnolia picture is gorgeous! We're a little behind you here. It has warmed up but not much blooming yet, although the tulips are poking their sleepy heads through the soil.
the pond near our house is loaded with tadpoles. Along the edge the water was black with them. Now that the toads have mated theyve left the water.
Oh and those are American Toads, the same kind in my neck of the woods. Somehow they crossed the border just like the lily beetle.
What beautiful flowers. What an attractive couple you are. Cute frog too.
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